Kathleen Finnegan

Author Archive

the big picture

Home prices were up sharply in June but the pace may be slowing, a widely watched housing index reported Tuesday. June home prices were up 12.1% from a year earlier and all 20 cities in the index posted gains on a monthly basis, shows the S&P Case-Shiller 20-city index. But only six cities saw prices rising faster in June compared to 10 in May. With interest rates rising to almost 4.6%, "home buyers may be discouraged and sharp increases may be dampened," says... Continue Reading >

ask Kathleen

You've got questions. We've got answers! A real estate transaction has many moving parts. The real estate agent's role is to smooth the home sale process, from setting the price to closing the deal. Before hiring a specific real estate agent, take advantage of his or her knowledge about houses and the market, ask the right questions to determine the agent's suitability for your transaction. The real estate agent whom you hire should be a good match for your style, your neighborhood,... Continue Reading >

“gotta have it” goals!

Where do we get our goals ? The best goals come from within ourselves. Goals that come from external sources are rarely truly motivating, or effective. Goals also require some thought. Developing good, life changing goals requires digging deep into what really means anything to you, and what you genuinely want to accomplish. I want to spend the rest of this article, discussing some things you should look for, in goals that will have true power in changing your life. GOALS... Continue Reading >

school supply drive – thats a wrap!

    That’s a wrap folks! This year we had the opportunity to work with an organization called Support the Kids, that brings school supplies to kids and teens who need them. Organized by our fabulous Office Administrator - Rita, we were able to get 39 bag packs and fill them full of school supplies! Many families are struggling. With high unemployment, and more than 30 million students enrolled in the free and reduced meal programs, many parents are unable to provide the basic... Continue Reading >

10 secrets for selling your home

Through the years, I've worked with many sellers and the number 1 question I hear is, "what can I do to sell my house fast?". Here are a few easy things that you can do when preparing to sell your home. And if you have questions I always here to help! Selling Secret #10: Pricing it right Find out what your home is worth, then shave 15 to 20 percent off the price. You’ll be stampeded by buyers with multiple bids —... Continue Reading >

give your credit score a boost!

Unfortunately, most consumers still do not know basic facts about credit scores and their financial significance, The truth is, your credit score, sometimes called a FICO score, is a number based on the information in your credit file that shows how likely you are to pay a loan back on time -- the higher your score, the less risky you are. There are three major credit bureaus: Experian, Equifax and TransUnion. The credit bureaus write up your report based on any... Continue Reading >

moving forward

   San Fernando Valley home prices surged again in June amid plunging foreclosure activity and tight inventory, according to two reports released Monday. Last month, the median home price in the Valley increased 29.3 percent, to $505,000 from $390,500 a year ago, said the San Fernando Valley Economic Research Center at California State University, Northridge. It was the 12th consecutive month of year-over-year price increases. Just since May, the median is up 1.2 percent from $499,000, and June was the first time the... Continue Reading >

sun sets concerts swing into Calabasas

The Sun Sets summer concert series kicks off Sunday at 6 p.m. at Calabasas Lake and will feature musical performances spanning many genres. The concerts, which will take place on six Sundays throughout the summer, are free to the public. Limited fixed seating is available on a first come, first served basis. All concerts begin at 6 p.m., and parking is available at the Calabasas Tennis and Swim Center at 23400 Park Sorrento. This year's shows include: June 6 – The Legends of Swing The... Continue Reading >

the new neutral

Neutrals are my first love but they’re also very practical.  A neutral color palette is all about practicality. Neutrals are so classic and timeless, you can always add pops of color in accessories or pillows. You get a lot more longevity with neutrals especially when you’re investing in sofas and rugs. Here are a few tips on how to achieve a neutral color palette without it looking flat. 1. Neutral Isn’t Just White. When you want to design a neutral room, it is... Continue Reading >

roasted strawberry ice cream, yum!

Strawberries and Summer go hand in hand.             Growing up we had strawberries in the garden and on a hot summer day I remember picking them right off the vine. Recently I was strolling through the farmers market and I came upon some of the freshest looking strawberries I've seen. I couldn't help but buy a few packs. When I got home I went on the hunt for a unique recipe and sure enough I found Roasted Strawberry Ice Cream. It's the perfect way... Continue Reading >